Though not the go-to choice among people, the Buick Envision still is a respectable and trusty player in the affordable end of the premium midsize SUV segment. Even though the official number of complaints and recalls on the Envision has been on the lower side, forums have been bringing out a lot many complaints that were left out, mostly with the first generation of this SUV. Also, low numbers don’t always guarantee you a seamless ownership experience, as brought out by owners, and there is certain stuff that you should be aware of when getting a Buick Envision used or even brand new. As of now, the 2022 Buick Envision starts at a base price of $31,800. This midsize SUV will be pitted against premium entry-level midsize offerings like the 2022 BMW X3, the 2022 Acura RDX, and the 2022 Lincoln Corsair even though its base prices undercut most of these by a huge margin.
2022 Buick Envision User Complaints and Problems
The current iteration of the Buick Envision has been in the market since 2020 and the complaints it has gathered during its runtime have been significantly low. You could call the low sales volume one reason for this, but when we compare it to other competing premium SUVs which almost do similar sales numbers, the complaint to total-vehicles-sold ratio is far low on the Buick. Then again, it is not completely immune and things do pop up now and then.
Listed below are the most commonly known issues of the 2022 Buick Envision and their implications on the ownership experience.
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Not as common as some other issues mentioned here, but a handful of owners have complained about the engine on the initial batches of Buick Envision. The issue primarily revolved around the engine overheating which was mostly traced to be an issue of either a ruptured rubber coolant hose or a faulty thermostat. Also, trims with the 2.0L Turbo engine are said to be extremely sensitive to fuel quality as owners complain about a significant drop in torque when run on regular (87) gasoline when compared to premium (94) gasoline.
- Service brakes- The brake warning light accompanied with complete loss of braking pressure is one issue that several owners of the Buick Envision (manufactured between 2016 and 2017) have complained about. Even though this issue was under a recall (NHTSA ID-16V922000) in 2016 for a possible crack in the master cylinder brake line connection, a handful of owners of newer model years have reported the same issue. No crashes were officially reported against this issue by the NHTSA though.
Electric System Complaints
- Infotainment/ instrument panel- The infotainment screen and the driver information screen on the Buick Envision are said to be very dim or go blank completely on random occasions. This was a common issue with the previous generation Envision SUVs as recognized by the NHTSA and the cause of the problem was traced to a software glitch with the infotainment unit. The firmware updates were done from the dealership end and those owners for whom this fix did not work as intended, were given hardware replacements free of cost.
- Rear HVAC- Multiple owners have been complaining about faults with the air-conditioning system on the Buick Envision as per the NHTSA. The rear vents are said to blow warm air on the occupants despite setting the temperature to “LO” mode. This has been a common issue in the last batches of SUVs from the previous generation as reported and the fault was found to be with the rear evap-system. No official statements on this problem have been released by the automaker so far.
- Start-stop system- The start-stop system on the Buick Envision is said to be bugged by a variety of software niggles with the primary issue being a complete shut-off. The car is said to not come back on when the throttle is pressed and the drivers are forced to start the car manually with the push-starter. The first generation of these SUVs was deprived of a proper disable switch for this system and the dealerships were unable to replicate the issue to find the cause.
Structural Complaints
- Steering wobble- A few batches of the 2018 Buick Envision are said to suffer from steering wobble at high speeds or when taking turns. The issue was later diagnosed to be with the OEM drive shafts which are said to fail prematurely. The owners who have faced this issue were given a free drive shaft replacement from the dealership end and this is said to have completely resolved the issue.
- Waterlogging- The water drain holes for the doors on the first-generation Buick Envision SUVs were said to not perform as intended. The owners complain about water collecting between the door panel and the vehicle body, which only drains when the doors are opened. Prolonged logging of water is said to corrode the body and door panels when the doors are left unopened, especially in the winter. Even though the automaker is made aware of this complaint by the dealerships, no official statement has come out so far.
The official numbers recognized by the NHTSA have only been marked in this table. The actual numbers do vary given the number of complaints accumulated in unofficial forums on this midsize SUV.
|
Category |
Number of complaints |
|---|---|
|
Fuel and Propulsion System |
9 |
|
Engine/ Powertrain |
19 |
|
Safety |
18 |
|
Service brakes |
27 |
|
Electrical |
14 |
|
Structural |
27 |
2022 Buick Envision Recalls
The year 2022 has not seen any recalls on Buick Envision so far. In fact, the Buick Envision has just one recall on its name since 2020, the year which saw the introduction of the completely reworked version of this premium mid-size SUV. Honestly, we too are quite surprised by how Buick has managed to keep the recall numbers in the low single digits, which is not all that common especially when introducing a brand new model to the market.
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
3rd June 2021 |
21V421000 |
Airbag light may not indicate malfunction |
The airbag warning light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the airbag, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
|
2 |
31st May 2018 |
18V358000 |
Fuel pump flange weld may fracture |
High-pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, which can create a fuel leak and increase the risk of a fire. |
|
3 |
29th June 2017 |
17V412000 |
Headliner missing foam blocks |
If the service parts do not have high energy-absorbing foam blocks, there may be an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash. |
|
4 |
27th June 2017 |
17V404000 |
Incorrectly installed table holder |
Incorrectly installed accessory onto the front seat head restraints, prevents the head restraint from fully engaging in the seatback, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
|
5 |
21st December 2016 |
16V922000 |
Brake lines may leak fluid |
The master cylinder brake line may crack and leak brake fluid, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash. |
|
6 |
7th July 2016 |
16V516000 |
Incorrect weight information on the label |
Incorrect weight information may cause the operator to overload the vehicle, compromising vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. |
Based on official records, the Buick Envision is also performing far better than its competition when it comes to recalls. Its closest contender, the Acura RDX, which is known to be one of the most reliable SUVs in the segment, has 2 recalls on its name since 2020. The Lincoln Corsair on the other hand has raked in 7 while the BMW X3 in typical German fashion, has the most, registering over 12 in the same period.
|
Component Affected |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Safety |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Exterior |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Electric |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Interior |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Drive System |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Fuel System |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Engine |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Which Buick Envision model year should you avoid?
The 2017 model year, which was the launch model of the Buick Envision, is one iteration we would advise you to stay away from. This year has seen the most number of official complaints by the NHTSA. Even though the number seems low, the actual number does go high when you factor in the unofficial complaints from forums. So just to be on the safer side, we don’t recommend the 2017 model.
Should you buy a used Buick Envision?
Buick has been a brand that has been ardent in delivering its customers with high-quality cars and the same goes with its latest entrant, the Envision SUV. Packing in both style and top-notch equipment, the Buick Envision is a great choice for people looking for an upmarket experience without cut-throat pricing. The initial years have been a bit bothersome with multiple complaints coming to light, but that is something usual for any new car. That said, Buick has taken care of most of the stuff and in fact, the new generation has the least number of recorded complaints and recalls in the segment. So if you are out one the probe for an economical yet premium-feeling SUV, you should take a look at the Envision. With prices at the lower 20k mark, you couldn’t go wrong with this midsize SUV, given a clean service record.
